Domestic appliance



y 1950 F. H. MCCORMICK 2,507,920

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Original Filed Nov. 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 16, 1950 F. H. M CORMICK DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 3, 1939 May 16, 1950 F H. M CORMICK DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Nov. 3, 1939 min Q 3: b HT :0 as E 5% Q Wm .to 3: 2 w? 2; am w QQ i 02 w! +6 .1; Q3 09 g mm... a3 on 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Nov. 3, 1939 UXQA 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 F. H. M CORMICK DOMESTIC APPLIANCE May 16, 1950 Original Filed Nov. 3, 1939 rllx lllll II v Illlll FIG.

FIGS

May 16, 1950 F. H. MCCORMICK 2,507,920

' DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Original Filed Nov. 3, 1939 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.I2

FIG. I3

y 1950 F. H. MCCORMICK DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Nov. 3, 1939 now-42,!

y 1950 A F. H. MCCORMICK 2,507,920

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Original Filed NOV. 3, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 4 W4 8 I 5 o 0 W5 FIG.|8 I Fl G.l9

BY m FIG.2I WM May 16, 1950 F. H. MCCORMICK DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Original Filed Nov. 3, 1939 Patented May 16, 1950 DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Francis H. McCormick, Oakwood, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Original application November 3, 1939, Serial N 0. 302,728, now Patent No. 2,442,900, dated June Divided and this application March 6, 1948, Serial No. 13,462

Claims. 1

This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to heating arrangements in electric stoves.

This application is a division of my copending application S. N. 302,728, filed November 3, 1939 (Patent 2,442,900, June 8, 1948) It has been found that a more uniform temperature will be attained in an oven by supplying the major portion of the heat at the bottom and a small amount of evenly distributed heat at the top of the oven. The space within the oven is made more usable byproviding the broiling heater at the top of the oven. If separate heaters are provided in the top of the oven for broiling and for baking the heaters will interfere to prevent either heater from providing the desired uniform distribution.

It is an object of my invention to provide an arrangement for a heater in the upper portion of the oven which will cause the heater to supply heat uniformly at a sufficient rate for broiling when desired or at a much lesser rate when it is desired to use the oven for baking.

I have found that the inner portion of the electric surface heaters tends to become much warmer than the outside portion of such heaters, even though it has been customary to provide the heat uniformly over the surface of the heaters. One reason for this is that the outer portions of such heaters are exposed to relatively cool air as well as cooler portions of the range adjacent the heaters. Convection currents at the outer edges of the heaters carry away heat from the outer portions of the surface heaters with considerable rapidity. The inner portions of the heaters are separated from the convection currents of cool air as well as cooler portions of the range adjacent the heaters by the outer portions of the heaters, and the hot air rising from the outer portions of the heaters. This condition is frequent- 1y made worse by reason of the fact that cooking utensils often have concave bottoms and thus tend to make contact only on the outside of the heater and ordinarily remain out of contact on the inside or center. This causes most of the heat to be conducted directly from the heater to the utensil or to the outer portion thereof, while the inner portion is forced to employ some less efficient manner of heat transmission.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an electric surface heater in which the heating intensity increases from the inner portions to the outer portions of the surface heater.

It is another object of my invention to provide an electric surface heater formed of a plurality of concentric rings in which the outer ring has a greater density of wattage per square inch than the inner ring.

The problem of providing uniform heat distribution for a wide variety of food loads in an oven is perpetual and continuing. Apparently there is no perfect solution to the problem; but improvements are always possible and desirable. It is customary to place the main heating unit in the bottom of the oven. This, however, has a tendency to make the portion of the oven immediately above the heating unit too hot. Various forms of baffles or heat shields over the lower heating unit have been tried but I find these forms are rather inefiective and tend to trap the heat in the bottom of the oven.

It is an object of my invention to provide a heating arrangement for an electric oven which will provide a more even distribution of heat and particularly will prevent the burning of the bottom food being baked on the lower shelf in the oven.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved bafile arrangement for the heater in the bottom of the oven which will shield the lower shelves from radiant heat and provide a gentle evenly distributed circulation of hot air in the oven but which will avoid the trapping of heat beneath the baffle.

It has been found that in order to obtain uniform temperature distribution over an area adjacent to a heating unit of radiant type, it is desirable to reduce the heat intensity adjacent the center of the heating unit and to increase the heat intensity of the edge portions of the heating unit. This is true for baking and broiling as well as surf ace heating units.

It is therefore another object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement of the heating means in the bottom and top of the oven to increase heat intensity at the edges of the heating means and especially at the front and rear edges in order to obtain more uniform temperature distribution.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a heating means with an improved support for the insulators of the electric resistance means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric stove embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of an electric stove embodying my invention;

Fig. 3 is a complete wiring diagram for an electric stove shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram of the oven heating system together with its control switch shown in off position;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the oven heating system with the control system shown in low heat position;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the oven heating system with the control switch shown in baking position;

'7 is a wiring diagram of an oven heating system with the control switch shown in broiling position;

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the oven, both heating elements and the baffle;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the lower heating means shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view through one of the insulators taken along the lines liiifi of Fig. 11;

ig. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of the heating means shown in Fig. 9 taken along the lines iili of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of one of the heating units for the oven, the upper and lower heating units of which be made identical;

Fig. 13 is a modified form ofthe heating means shown in Fig. 12, made so as to provide a greater amount of heat at all of the edges;

Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive are diagrammatic representations of modified forms of wiring construction;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. l; and

F g. 21 is a vertical eross-sectional view taken along the center of the cable channel 35.

Briefly, 1' have shown an improved electric stove or range which simple and desirable in construction. It is provided with surface heaters having two concentric heate rings and the outer heating ring has a sufficiently greater heating capacity to provide a greater heating eifect per square inch than the inner ring. Preferably the outer ring has at least twice the heating energy of the inner ring. For high heating both the rings are energized to their full capacity, while for heat the inner ring only is energized at only one-half voltage and provides a heating eifect equal to about one-half of the full effect of the inner ring and about one-fourth of the full heatin effect of the outer ring. This heating arrangement provides a greater heating effect upon the outside ring where the cooking utensils ally contact it also provides a better sea ction of heating rates for normal cooking rements. I have found that the heating capacity for medium heat should be considerably less than one-half the high heating rate and that the low heating rate should be about onehalf the medium heating rate.

I have provided two identical heating units in the top and bottom of the oven and I provide an evenizer baffle over the top of the lower heating unit to make the heating of the oven much more uniform. Th upper heater I use at maximum capa ty for broiling, while for baking I use the heater at maximum capacity at the full voltage and upper heater I use at one-half voltage and, in addition, connect the upper heater in with an external resistance which further reduces the actual voltage upon the upper heater.

s arrangement I can use an evenly distributeri heater in the upper portion for both broiling and baking in order to get uniform heat distribution for either broiling or baking. I also provide a preheating arrangement by which both upper and lower heaters are operated at full voltage and maximum capacity.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 there is shown an electric range including a range shell 26, preferably coated with porcelain inside and out, which is provided with a cooking top 2?. having an integral back panel all of which is coated with porcelain on both sides. The topis provided with four surface heaters 2 3, each provided with an outer heating ring 28 and an inner heating ring 38. These heating rings form the surface heaters and are made of diiferent sizes and different heating rings.

For example, the inner ring may have an outer diameter of 4 /2" and an inner diameter of 2 and an upper surface area of about 12 square inches. Preferably it has a rate of 4:00 watts at full voltage giving it a heating density of about 33 watts per square inch. The outer ring preferably has an outer diameter of about 6 and an inner diameter of about 4 /1" providin an upper surface area of about 1'? square inches. Preferably this outer ring has a heating ring of about 800 watts providing a heat density of about 56 watts per square inch. This provides about 56% greater heating density in the outer ring than in the inner ring. This counteracts the tendency of surface heaters to get much hotter on the inner portions than the outer portions. I find that cooking utensils often have concave bottoms causing them to contact upon the outside ring and usually fail to make contact with the inside ring. Thus the heat will be removed from the outside ring much more easily than from the inside ring and the greater heating density provided by the outside ring will therefore compensate for its greater rate of heat transfer to keep both rings at about the same temperature.

If desired, the surface heaters may have more than two concentric heating rings with the inner ring having the least heat intensity and the outer ring having the greatest heat intensity. In such a surface heater, the intermediate heating rings preferably have an intensity intermediate the he t intensity of the inner and outer rings. If there are more than one intermediate rings their heat intensity may he graduated so that the heat intensity of the heaters increases from the inner ring to the outer types of surface heaters may also be made so as to provide greater heat intensity upon the outer edges thereof than upon the inner portions thereof. For example, surface heaters of the spiral coil t pe may have their coils widely spaced in their inner portion and closely spaced in their outer portions to provide g'eater heat intensity in the outer portions. The spacing of such coils preferahiy progressively decreases from the inner portions to the outer portion to provide a progressively increasing heat intensity.

The bottom or" the surface heaters 28 are separated from their switches by a switch shield lo beneath the top cover 22 and extending generally do vnwardly at an angle from its front edge. A U-shaped channel is connected to bly which includes the switch channel 38 which is fastened by screws at its opposite ends to the front portions of the range shell 28. The switch channel has the surface heater switches 84, 86, 36 and 88 fastened to its rear face and the operating shafts of the switch extend forwardly through the switch channel so that they may be provided with switch handles after a switch panel is placed over the switch panel assembly. The switch channel assembly is also provided with a fuse and fuse receptacle member 40. The wiring from the switch channel assembly is grouped together in sort of a flexible conduit 42 which extends rearwardly through a channel 48 located immediately beneath the cooking top 22 and extending from the front to the back of the range.

Directly beneath the surface heating units 26 is a large warming drawer 48 and beneath this large drawer 46 is an electric heater called a warming unit 48 b which the large drawer may be heated for keeping food which has already been prepared at a desirable temperature or it may be used to warm dishes prior to serving of a meal.

The walls of the oven proper are provided by an oven shell 50 which fits into the front of the range shell 20. The oven shell 50 is surrounded with insulation and through its rear wall extend the plug receptacle 52 and 54. The upper oven heating unit 58 plugs directly into the up- Der receptacle 52 while the lower oven heating unit 58 plugs into the lower receptacle 54. These upper and lower oven heating units are identical except for the fact that the lower heating unit is provided with an evenizer bafile 68 for the purpose of balancing the distribution of heat through the oven. Each of the oven heater units are of the open coil type and are designed to provide a uniform heat distribution over their entire area. They have a rating of 2000 watts at full voltage.

The oven heating units are controlled by an oven switch 82 having a knob located upon the front face of back panel 24 and the remainder of the mechanism located upon the rear of the back panel 24. As will be further explained in connection with Figs. 4 to 7 this switch provides an off position, a preheat position, in which both heaters are energized by full Voltage to give rapid heating, and a bake position in which the lower heater is operated at full voltage and the upper heater is connected in series with the resistance and the two are operated at one-half voltage in order to provide a small evenly distributed amount of heat at the top of the oven to provide uniform heating for baking purposes. A broiling position is also provided in which the upper oven heat unit is operated alone for boiling purposes.

At one side of the oven switch 82 is the oven temperature control 88 which in reality is a thermostat which operates a set of switch contacts to control the supply of current to the oven heating units. At the side of the oven temperature control 84 there is provided a timer clock 86 which may be used to start and stop the energization of the oven heating units at any particular set time. At the side of the clock 66 is a time signal 68 which may be set to ring a bell at any particular time desired. On the other side of the oven switch 82 is an oven vent 70 which permits air, odors and Vapors to escape from the oven. At the side of this vent I8 is a warmer switch 72 beneath which is a signal light .14 which i lighted whenever the upper unit is in operation. Below the signal light 14 is an appliance receptacle 76 which may be used as an outlet for an electric teakettle or percolator or the like.

The external resistance I8 for use with the upper oven heating unit 56 during baking operations is located upon the back of the range and like the other electrical parts is connected to the line terminal block 88 which is located adjacent the bottom of the range to which the suppl electric conductors are connected. Preferably the range operates upon a three-wire 115-120, 230-240 volt distribution system. The electrical connections shown in Fig. 2 at the rear of the range are concealed by the rear cover 82 of the range.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3 which shows the wiring system of the range, the line terminal block is shown connected to the surface heater switches 84, 86, 36 and 88. The connection between these switches and the line terminal block 80 is made by the conductors 42 which pass through the channel 44 provided for them. The switch 8 2 is connected to the left front surface heater 26 which includes the outer ringshaped heating member 28 and the inner ringshaped heating member 30. The switch 84 includes a knob 94 provided with a pointer 96. Four positions off, high, medium and low are indicated upon the switch panel.

The knob 98 is connected to a shaft 98 provided with cams I02, E84 and I08. The cam I02 operates the contact I 08 which makes engagement with the stationary contact I I0 for supplying current to a connection which connects with one end of each of the heating members 28 and 30. The other end of the heating member 38 is connected to the stationary contact IIZ which is adapted to be contacted by the movable contact H4, which in turn is connected to the middle wiqre of the terminal block. The other end of the heater 28 is connected to a double stationary contact H8 having a contact H8 adapted to be engaged by the movable contact I28 which is connected to one of the outside conductors, while the second contact I22 is adapted to make contact with the movable contact H4 connected to the middle wire.

The other switches are connected to the left rear, right rear, and right front surface units in the same manner as is the switch 84. However, the switch 84 is shown in the off position, with the contact I08 away from the contact IE0, and the contact H5 away from the contact H2. In this position, since only one conductor is connected to the supply line, no current can flow through any of the heaters.

When the knob 94 of the switch 84 is turned to the high position, the cam I02 will be turned so that its point of contact with the contact I88 will be changed from its high portion to its low portion. This will permit contact I08 to make contact with the contact H8. The cam I84 will also be rotated but the contact II4 will remain upon the high portion of the cam. The cam I08 will also move one-fourth turn in a clockwise direction so that the contact of the cam with the contact I20 will be changed from the high portion of the cam to the low portion of the cam. This will cause the contact I20 to engage the contact H8. Thus when the switch 84 is turned to the high position, the current from one of the outside lines will flow through the contacts I28 and H8 to the heater 28. Current from the middle supply line will flow through the contacts ill-and li2tothe heatertfi. Currentv from the other outside supply line will flow through the contacts )8 and l I'U to boththe heaters 28 and 39. Thus the current flowing through theoutside ring heater 28 will flow from one outside supply line to the other While the current flowing through the inner heater 30 will fiow from the middle supply line to one of the outside supply lines. Thus the outside heater.28 .will be supplied with the maximum voltage for which it is designednamely, 230-240 volts, while the inner ring heater 301-wi-11 be supplied with its maximum voltage namely 115 to 120 volts. The switch 86 is;shown in the high position.

When the knob 95 is turned tothe medium position the contacts I93 and Hi] remain closed and the contact Hi remains in engagement with the contactili. However, the contact [29 is again moved out of engagement with the contact H3 so that no current can iiow through the outside ringheater 28. Full voltage, however, is applied to the inner ring heater 3B. The switch is shown in the medium position.

In the low position, the contact E93 remains in contact with contact Hil, but the contact iii is. moved out of engagement with the contact i ii! and into engagement with the contact 522, because in this position the low portion of the cam I94 makes contact with the contact I M. In this low position, the contact l2l remains out of contact with the contact I I8. Thus, current from the-middle conductor of the thrce-iwire system passes through the contacts He and i222, which forms a portion of thedouble contact membe M 3, to the outer ring heatingmember 223,. from which the currentflows through the contacts i It and W3 to one of the outside conductors of the three-wire system. Thus when the switch 84 is in this position only one-half full voltage is applied to the outer ring heater 253 and only one-fourth the full heat rating is obtained from the heater 23; The switch 88 is shownin the low position.

Also connected to the three-wire conductors extending from the line terminal block Si! is the warmer unit which is controlled by the warmer unit switch ii. The conductors to the warmer unit 48 are shown as entering an aperture in the rear wall'of the range in Fig. 2 and make connection with the warmer unit as shown beneath the large drawer in Fig. 1; The warmer unit is connected to the middle connection' one of the outside connections of the line terminal block "so that the warmer unit operates on 115- 129 volts. oven temperature control includes the double'contacts 1263 connected by conductorsiiifi "to the timer clock 68 which in turn connects to'the two-outside conductors connecting-to the-line terminal block The double switch contacts i213 are connected by conductors to the binding posts I32 and i3=iof the oven switch The oven switch at is provided with a third binding post 13% connected-to the external resistance iii-which in turn is connected directly to the middle conductor connected to thev terminal. block Kill.

The upper left front and the upper right rear bindingposts. lfi i and ldil' of the oven switch 62 are connected to the terminal fi iwhich connects to the lower oven heating unit The left rear :and right front binding posts M2 and 15 of the oven switch. 62 are connected to'the-upper terminalv E2 to which is connectedthe upper oven heating unit .The signal lightnli is connected to the conductor which is connected to the bindingpost i 12 and is also connected-to one. of .the

terminalsof the appliance receptacle l6 whichin tennis connectedto the middle conductor connectcd tO'the line terminal block 88. The other con uctor of the appliance receptacle is connected to a fuse which in turn is connected to one of. theoutside conductors connected to the line terminal block 8% Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, there is shown the oven switch m2 in its four positions connected diagrammatically to the upper and lower oven heating units 56 and In i the oven switch is shown in the off position as indicated by its control knob I50. The knob i543 is connected to one end of a cam shaft 1552 which is provided with cams l5 l,' I56, itiii and i622 arranged upon the shaft I52 in. order. T e cam 5 5 is contacted by the contact member i6 2 which is adapted to make contact with the stationary contact 168 connected to the external resistance 78. The high portion of the cam is in contact with the contact IE4 at all times except when the knob (5E) is turned to bake position as is shown in Fig.6, at which time the contact will be engaged with the low portion of the cam E58 to permit the contacts 44 and [63 to close.

The cam which is next line, is engaged by the contact 6558 which is adapted to make cont with the stationary contact ill] forming a part of a contact bar iii! which it shares with the stationary contact i'l 'i. The high portion of cam E56 remains in engagement with the contact ifiii keeping .it in open position in the oif and hi h positions, but in the preheat and baking positions contact is engaged with the low portion of the cam 556 so that it makes contact with the stationary contact lit. The contact [68 is on the same side of the as the contact ii't which is operated bythe cam it l. When the knob 553 is turnedto the preheat and bake positions the contact il'ii is in contact with the low portions of the cam liifi so that the contact is in engagement with the contact H4 upon the contact bar. H2 at the same time when the contact M58 is in contact with contact lliLupon the other end of the contact bar H2. However, in the broil position the contact l'lli is also in engagement with the low portion of the cam 160 so that it remains in engagement with the contact-bar @152 while the contact I58 is moved away from contact bar i'i2 by the high portion of its cam'lt t'i.

Upon the other side of the cam shaft I52 is another contact bar provided with a stationary contact adapted to make contact with a movable contact w ich is operated by the cam The other stationary Contact I86, upon the contact bar is adapted to be contacted by the m vacle contact I38 which is operated by the cam In the preheat position the loW portion of the cams 53 and are in'contact with the movable contacts and 588 so that both of these contacts-are in conducting relation with the contact bar which connected to one outer conductor connected to the line terminal block.- W-nenthe knob I56 isturned to the bake position, the cam 58 hasits high portion in engagement with the movable Contact thus disenga! it from its stationary contact I82 upon the'contaet bar The cam !62, however, has low portion in'engagement with the movable contacts i83 so that it remains in contact with its stationary contact $6. In the broil position of the knob l5), the-situation is reversed and the low portion of the cam [58 engases the movable contact 584 permitting it to contact the stationary contact 182 while the high portion of the cam I62 is engageable with the movable contact I88 to separate it from its stationary contact I88.

Thus it will be seen in the off position all of the contacts are separated from their cooperating contacts to prevent any energization of the heaters. In the preheat position one of the outside conductors connecting to the line terminal block is connected through contact bar I12 with both the movable contacts I88 and I16 to supply electric energy at full Voltage to both the upper and lower heating units 58 and 58. The upper oven heating unit 56 is also connected through a common conductor I90 to the movable contact I84 and through the common conductor bar I88 to the other side of the three-wire system connected to the line terminal block. The lower oven heating unit 58 is also connected to the movable contact I88 which engages the common contact bar I88 connected to the other out side conductor of the three-wire conducting system connected to the line terminal block 88. Thus it will be seen that in the preheat position the heating units have one end connected to the common contact bar I12 while the other end is connected to the common contact bar I88.

In the bake position shown in Fig. 6 one of the outside conductors is connected to the common contact bar I12 and through this bar to the movable conductor I 68 and to the lower oven heating unit 58 which in turn is connected through the movable conductor I88 to the other common contact bar I 80. In this control position the common contact bar I12 is also contacted by the movable contact I16 which connects to the upper oven heating unit 56 which in turn is connected to the common conductor I99 which is connected to the movable contact I 54 which inturn engages the contact I56 connected to the external resistance 18 to apply the 115-120 volts to the upper oven heating unit 58 and the resistance 18 so that the heat output of the upper oven heating unit will be reduced to about 250 watts.

In the boil position shown in Fig. 7, common contact bar I12 is engaged by the movable contact I16 which permits current to flow to the upper oven heating unit 56 which is connected to the common conductor I98 and to the movable conductor I84 which contacts the common conh tact bar I80 so that in this position full voltage is applied to the upper oven heat unit 56 for broiling purposes. In this position all the other contacts are in open position.

By this particular heating arrangement for the I have provided two similar heating units in the top and bottom of the oven and I provide a baffie over the top of the lower heating unit to shield the lower shelves from the radiant heat and to provide a gentle circulation of the warm air in the oven to make the heating of the oven much more uniform. This battle is of a perculiar shape and is inclined upwardly from its center portion toward its outer edges. It is provided with a long downwardly flanged opening extending enerally from front to rear, in order to provide a passage through which air from the upper portion of the oven may readily enter the space beneath the bafiie. The lower heating unit is entirely covered by the baiile and surrounds the flanged opening in the b aille. The upper heating unit I use at a maximum capacity for broiling, while for baking I use the lower heating unit at maximum capacity at the full voltage, and the upper heating unit I use at one-half voltage and in addition connect the upper heating unit in series with an external resistance which further reduces the actual voltage applied to the upper heating unit. The heating units are provided with an arrangement creating a greater heat intensity at their front and rear edges. By this arrangement I provide an even distribution of heat in the upper portion of the oven for either broiling or baking. I also provide a heating arrangement by which both upper and lower heaters are operated at full voltage and operated at maximum capacity for rapid heating.

While the low intensity, distributed heat in the top of the oven is a great aid in providing uniform distribution of heat, it is of primary importance that the lower oven heating unit be provided with properly distributed heat and be baffled in the most efficient manner. Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8 to 13, the lower heating element is shown as formed generally of an upper relatively fiat general rectangular wire frame member 220 having a projecting portion at its rear edge which supports the electrical plug 222 for connecting the heating unit 58 to its plug receptacle 5%. The heating unit is also provided with a lower general rectangular wire frame in the form of a loop 224 which is bent downwardly at its side edges so that it may be engaged within the slideways 225 and 228 provided upon opposite sides of the bottom of the oven shell for holding the lower heating unit in place.

Extending between the front and rear portions of the wire frame members 229 and 224 are the channel members 238 which are formed of sheet steel. These channel members 236. include a web portion 232, upper and lower flanged portions 2.3-! and 236, and these flanged portions have their edges turned inwardly as designated by the reference characters 238 and 248, so as to receive the rectangular insulating blocks 2&2 which are provided with central apertures 244. These channel members 238 therefore form a slideway for these insulating blocks 242. At uniformly spaced distances each of the channel members is provided with a rectangular opening 248 which is just slightly wider than the insulating block. Each of these flanged openings registers with the opening in its respective insulating block 242. The edges of the openings 2% are pressed inwardly as designated by the reference characters 248 and 25!? in order to locate the insulating blocks in place within the confines of the channel members so as to prevent lateral movement and to hold them in alignment with the apertures 2% in the web of the channels 238, the web 232 of the channels 238 are provided with rectangular notches 252 at each corner thereby leaving the protruding end portions 254 and 255 which are bent around the front and rear portions of the upper and lower wire frame members 225! and. 22 which are provided with flattened portions or notches 258 in order to hold the channels in position.

The electric heating unit is provided with an electrical resistance heating element in the form of a coiled resistance wirehaving such a resistanee as to provide 2669 watts at .235 volts. ihis coiled resistance wire has its opposite ends connected to the plug 222 and is threaded through the insulating blocl s 2222. It should be noted that the coiled resistance wire does not extend across from one side of the center to the other except in the front of the heater where a single coil of resistance wire extends from one side to the other in order to connect the two sides in ser'es with each other. It should. be noted that the resistance wire is not coiled uniformly but that a single pass adjacent the rear edge or" the heater On either side of the plug 222. and designated by the reference characters 2% and is coiled considerably closer together than the portion 266 and 268 of the resistance wire in between the portions 268 and 232 and the portion 2%. This last mentioned portion is closely coiled like the portions 286 and 252 and extends com-- pletely across the heater from one side to the other at its front edge and forms the connecting pass between the two sides of the heater.

The coils of wire are so stre'ched that the portion or" the coilbetween the portionflfill the portion 254 has a resistance of about 3.4 chins and likewise the portion between the closely coiled portionlfif! and the closely coiled portio 25 iv also has a resistance of about 7.4 ohms. T portion has a resistance of about ohms and'the portions 266 and each have a rcsistance of about 2.6 ohms. It will therefore seen that the heat intensity is concentrated at the front and rear edges of the heating unit where the greatest amount of heat is desired in order to obtain substantially uniform temperature conditions throughout the oven. Thus in order to secure the desired distribution of heat intensity, the portions 259, 252 and have their coils only about one hali as far apart as the portions and 263 which are located between the closely coiled portions. Thus I provide a distribution wherein about 20% of the heat is provided at the front and substantially the same proportion at the rear edge of the heater and slightly lessthan 60% of the heat is provided in between the front and rear edges.

In order to provide a satisfactory distribution of heat from the lower heating unit I provide the baffle 6D directly above it. This baffle is supported by four supports Elli which are fastened to the front and rear edges of the baffle adjacent the corners and extend downwardly and are fastened to the front and rear edges of the upper wire frame member 229. bafile iifi has its outer edges 21E curled downwardly a small distance providing a reinforcement for its edges and at its center portion it is provided with a deeply flanged aperture which is flanged downwardly a considerable distance very nearly to the level oi the coiled resistance wire. The bafile Bi slopes upwardly on either side of the long flanged aperture Li l at a uniform slope of about 5. This baifie provides a means of protecting the food on the lower shelves of the oven from obtaining too much radiant heat from the lower heating unit. Thus this bafrle serves as a shield since it completely covers the portions of the heating unit which contain the coiled resistance wire.

It also'serves as a means to promote a gentle evenly distributed circulation. Thus the uni form slope of the baiile on each side the flanged aperture 27 i produces a circulation of warm air laterally under each side of the battle and upwardly along the side we and then to distribute itself through the in ior of the oven. The flanged aperture fil provides a means by which the air when slightly cooled may be returned to the lower heater beneath the bafile. The deep flange of the flanged aperture tends to prevent, to a certain extent any warm air from passing upwardly through it instead of laterally beyond the side edges oi the baffle. I find that this deeply aperture the center of the baiile'increases the rate of circulation over bafiies which have prev sly been used thereby avoiding the trapping of heat be; ath the baffle, and thus provides a much more even distribution of heat in the oven. This baffle is not only useful with the two unit type of even shown in the drawings, but may also be used with the single unit type of oven where space is provided for broiling beneath the lower heating unit.

As mentioned before the upper heating unit 56 is identical to the lower heating unit excepting that it is inverted. It is supported in slideways Z'ill and provided upon the top wall of the oven, which slideways are similar to the slideways 2'56 and 2 3 p ovided in the bottom. The in creased heat-intensity at the edges of the upper unit 55- provides much better broiling conditions than prevails in other heating units and also provides better halting conditions. The side walls of the oven are provided with projections 28!! which form sup and guides for the shelves 2%. Thusbypro ing alowerovenhcating unit with about 40% of its heating capacity located upon its front and rear edges and by providing this greatly improved form of battle, and also .v providing a properly distributed small amount of heat at the top of the oven I have provided an oven which provides much more in heating than has heretofore been accomp an arran ement of this type.

In 13 is shown a modified form of heating unit designated by the reference character 352 which is formed of the upper lower rectangular wire frame members sell 32 which are provided with channel members extending channel members of the heating unit 58. The coiled electrical resistance wire is threaded through the insu supported by the channel members 335 in a tshion like that shown in Fig. 12 for the lower heating units 58.

This coiled resistance wire differs from that shown in Fig. 12 by having closely coiled portions tilt and at the edge of the heating unit which extend not only across the rear edge ol the heating unit but these closely coiled portions extend. to form a loop upon the side of the heating unit. Connected to the closely coiled portions 3% and 362 are the loosely coiled portions 384 and 353 which form loops on the inner portions of the heating unit. These loosely coiled portions are then connected to closely coiled portions 358 and tilt which form loops at the outer edge of the heating unit, The resistance element then continues in alternate loosely coiled and closely coiled portions with th loosely coiled portions forming the inner loops, while the close y coiled portions form the outer loops until the front of the heating unit is reached, Where a closely coiled portion is provided which extends entirely across the front of the heating unit and also forms loops at the outer edges of the heating unit.

Thus with this form, the heating unit is provided with closely coiled portions at the front and rear as well as in the loops on the outer edges, while the loops on the inner portions of the heating unit are loosely or widely coiled. This provides a greater amount of heat at all the edges of the heating unit and a lesser amount of heat in the central portions of the heating unit. Thus this form creates more heat at the edges, and in this way provides more uniform temperature distribution which is advantageous for broiling as well as baking. This modified form of heating may be used like the heating unit 58 in either the single or two unit oven. It may be used with a similar baffle 34% provided with a deep downwardly flanged aperture 314. It may also be used as the upper heating unit in connection with a lower heating unit like that of Fig. 12. If desired, a different baflie may be used or a different slope employed such as From the foregoing description of the oven heating system, it is to be seen that I have provided a system in which upper and lower oven electric resistance heater units are controlled by a unitary manual switch. The upper heater is primarily suitable for broiling purposes when applied to full voltage. The lower electric heater unit is primarily suitable for baking purposes when applied across the full voltage. I connect the heaters to electric supply means in such a manner that the upper heater unit is used alone across the full voltage for broiling purposes, while for baking purposes the upper heater unit is placed across a reduced voltage simultaneously energized with the lower heating unit with the full voltage across the lower unit.

In the foregoing description I have indicated how these oven heating units may be applied to a three-wire circuit; but other modifications are possible with both three-wire and twowire circults. Such modifications are diagrammatically indicated in Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive.

In Fig. 14 the upper and lower heating units are shown at 5B and 58. A two-line source of electrical supply is indicated by the wires 4% and lill. A resistance 492 may be placed outside of the oven, and a multiple switch it-3 with a single manual control is provided for regulating the energization of the oven units. The arrangement is such that switching mechanism 403 can disconnect the units 56 and 58 completely from the source of supply, can place both units across the full voltage for preheat, can place the lower unit 58 across the full voltage with the upper unit 55 across a reduced voltage for baking, and can place the upper unit 56 alone across the full voltage for broiling. The switch structure may be of any desired unitary construction such that the necessary contacts can be manipulated from a single handle. This structure, for example may include movable contacts 433a, 4631) interlocked by manipulating arm M30. When the movable contacts 463a and ifiSb are over stationary contacts 454 and 485, the switch is in the oil position. At this time the extension deed of arm 493a impinges upon, and opens, the switch Ml? thereby disconnecting both sides of the units 55 and 58 from the wiresiifi and dill. When movable contacts 3030. and tiidb are moved over stationary contacts M8 and 3 99, arm extension llitd is moved away from switch Mil and switch Mil closes, and the units as and 58 are placed across the full voltage in parallel across the wires 4534i and I. In this position of the switch, the units are at the maximum heating capacity and are to be used for preheating the oven. When the 14 movable contacts are placed over the contacts Me and 4! I, the switch 40! remains closed, the lower unit 58 is across the full voltage, and the upper unit 55 is across a reduced voltage by being placed in series with the resistance 4132. In this position the units are suitably energized for baking. When the movable contacts are placed over the contacts M2 and M3, the switch 48'! remains closed, and the upper unit 56 alone is placed across the full voltage of the wires 400 and 4!. This is suitable for broiling.

If desired, an adjustable thermostat having a diaphragm or bellows A may be connected to a bulb 455 in the oven in such a manner that the expansion of the bellows M4 by the thermostatic liquid, such as chlorinated diphenyl, opens a switch, such as dill, when the oven reaches a predetermined temperature. By adjusting the impingement or contact screw M5, the operating distance of the bellows may be varied so that the opening temperature of the switch may be varied or selected to suit the user. Also, if desired, an electric clock mechanism 65 may be provided which may be set to close the contacts 66a and 562) at a predetermined time and to open them at a later predetermined time, thus providing for an automatic baking operation of selected time and duration.

In Fig. 15 the oven units 56 and 58 are connected to a three-wire source including wires 42? t2! and 422. This may be the usual three-wire alternating current supply with wire 42! as the neutral wire. The arrangement is such that the switch structure 42s may place both units across the full voltage of wires 42!] and 522 for preheat, the lower unit 53 across the full voltage of wires 42!! and .22, with the upper unit 58 across the reduced voltage between either of the line wires 620 or 422 and the neutral wire 42! for baking, and the upper unit 56 alone across the full voltage between the wires Mil and 422 for broiling. For example, when the movable con tacts fiEta and 2-2312 are placed over the stationary contacts 424 and 325 by manipulating interlock arm 4230, arm extension 423d impinges on, and opens switch 425, so that the units 56 and 58 are completely disconnected from the live wires. When the movable contacts time and 4232) are placed over contacts 32'! and Q23 by means of manipulating interlock arm 423e, switch 428 is closed because extension 423d is retracted from switch 425. At this time, both units 55 and 58 are placed across the full voltage between wires 520 and 422 thus rendering them suit" able for preheating the oven. When the movable contacts 423a and 5231), are placed over contacts 429 and are, switch 626 remains closed and the lower unit 58 is placed acros the full voltage between line 426 and line 622 with the upper unit across the reduced voltage between the lines 420 and 42!. The units are suitably energized for baking in this position. When the movable contacts AiZSa and .231) are placed over the contacts 43! and .32, switch #23 remains closed and the upper unit 56 alone is placed across the full voltage of lines 42%? and are and is suitably energized for broiling. In this modification also, a thermostat 5333 is provided similar in function. adjustment etc., to the thermostat shown in Fig. 14. The clock mechanism 66 may also be provided.

In Fig. 16 an arrangement is shown for energizing the units 56 and 553 by means of the twowire source 4% and Hi, utilizing an autotransformer M2. When the switch structure 443 is placed with its movable contacts Him and M3?) over contacts 444 and the system is in the off position, with the switch ME opened by extension 443d of interlock M and with the units 5.6 and 58 completely disconnected from the electrical supply. When the movable contacts Mia and Sb are placed over contacts Ml the switch M5 is closed, and the units and are placed in parallel across the full voltage oi lines 448 and MI and are suitably energized for preheating. When the movable contacts 3a and M31) are placed over contacts M9 and switch 446 remains closed, lower unit 58 is placed across the full voltage of lines 4% and G ll, and the upper unit 56 is placed across a reduced voltage extending from the line M9 to a selected point in the autotransformer 442. The units are suitably energized for baking in this position. Iii desired, autotransformer M2 may be made adjustable so that any desired energization. of the upper unit may be obtained. When the movable contacts 443a and M32) are over contacts and 452, the upper unit 5% alone is placed across the full voltage of the wires Md and and is suitably energized for broiling. A thermostat 453 may be provided, is similar in construction, adjustment etc., to the thermostat shown in 14. The clock mechanism 65 may also be provided.

In Fig. 17 the units 56 and 58 are connected to a three-wire source 489, 46! and 462. In this arrangement a resistance 453- is placed adjacent to the lower unit 58, and may be built structurally integrally therewith. This resistance may be placed in series with the up er unit across the reduced voltage of and when the switch arrangement about to be described is placed in the bake position. When the movable contacts 464a and @5541) of the switch structure 48 1 are placed over the contacts @335 and by means of the manipulating interlock M0, the switch 468 is opened by arm extension ifi ld and the switch structure is in the off position completely disconnecting the units 56, E58 and 353 from the electric source of supply. When the movable contacts 464a and 4184b are placed over the contacts 469 and are, the switch 68 is closed and the units 56 and 58 are placed acros the full voltage of lines 463 and 462 and are suitably energized for preheating the oven. When the movable contacts 464a and 4541) are placed over the contacts 41! and 4'52 the lower unit 58 is placed across the full voltage 469 and 362 while the upper unit 56 is placed in series with the resistance 463 across the reduced voltage 560 and ,61. This is suitable energization for baking. When the movable contacts 46 1a and 45% are placed over contacts 413 and 414, the upper unit 55 alone is placed across the full voltage of lines 450 and 5.52 and is suitably energized for broiling. A thermostat M5 is provided, which may be similar in construction, adjustment etc., to the thermostat shown in Fig. 14. The clock mechanism 66 may also be provided.

In Fig. 18, the units 55 and 58 are connected to a, two-wire source 489 and 68!. A resistance 283 may be provided adjacent to, and if desired integrally built into, unit 58. When the movable contacts 484a and 841] of the switch structure 484 are placed over the contacts 485 and 485 by the manipulating interlock arm 4840, switch is opened by the extension 48% and the arrangement is in the off position with all of the units completely disconnected from the electrical supply. When the movable contacts 48 m and i-Ei lb are over contacts 488 and 489, switch 481 is closed across the full voltage 480 and id! and ably energized for preheating the oven. the movable contacts 483a and 63% are plac d over contacts 4% and Q9 5, the lower unit is p o across the full voltage anc with the up per unit 56 placed i series with the resistance 6S3 across and 58i to impose a reduced voltage on the unit The units are suitably energized for baking in this position. When the movable contacts lfi lh are placed over contacts and 393 the upper unit alone is placed across the full voltage and is suitably energized for broiling. A thermostat 656 may be provided similar in construction, ment etc., to the thermostat shown in The clock mechanism may be prov o.

In 19 the units with the two-wire source Edi. modification a reduced voltage is imposed on the upper unit 5% in the baking position by placing it in series with a portion of the lower unit thus using a portion of the lower unit 53 as a resistance. When the movable contacts 5532a and 55% of the switch structure are placed over the contacts and 56% by t manipulating interlock the switch is opened by extension and the units 53 and are completely disconnected from the source of electrical energy, the switch structure being in the oil position. When the movable contacts and 532i) are placed over contacts 5% and switch 5522 is closed, the units and 58 are placed across the full voltage and. and ar... si. tably energized for preheating the oven. When the movable contacts and 55521) are placed over contacts 5&8 and the lower unit 552 is placed across the full voltage and Hill while the upper unit has a reduced voltage impose on it by placing it in series with a portion of the lower unit 58 across the lines Ediand E'z'ii. T suitably energizes the units for baking. When the movable contacts 522a and 56219 are placed over contacts 558 and 5! l the upper unit 56 alone is placed across the full voltage 5% and 5M and is suitably energized for broiling. A thermostat M2 is provided which is similar in construction, adjustment etc., to the thermostat shown in l 'i 14. The clock mechanism 55 may also provided.

In the description of Figs. 14-, 16, 17 and 18, a two-wire source has been. referred to; but it is understood that this two-wire source may be two selected wires of a three or more wire source.

Referring more particulari y to 20 and the switch shield and the U-shaped channel 34 provide a protected conduit under the cover 22 for the wires Ma, 2 5a, leading from the switches 85, 86, 3G and 88 and termi-- hating centrally with respect to the s heaters 25 so that the wires may be flexibly connected to the respective heaters 26 as indicated. This protects the wires from spillage, and at the same time allows the heaters 25 to be lifted, or tilted from the cover 22 a sufficient distance for cleaning the heaters and stove. The U-shaped che nel 3d prevents the wires from moving under the surface heaters where they might be damaged by spillage. The unenergized portions or" the hash ers 26 may be grounded to the channel 34 by wires 26a.

The switch channel 33 may be covered b an enameled plate 38a, through which the switch stems 38b extend. Switch knobs are pushed on the stems 38b.

In tis While the forms of embodiment of the invention as hereindisclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In an electric circuit for cooking appliances having a source of electric power, the combination of a multi-part baking element, a broiling element, and switching means arranged in one position thereof to connect both said elements to the source, in another position thereof to connect only one part of said multi-part element and said broiling element to the source in parallel, and in a third position to connect only said broiling element to the source.

2. In an electric circuit for cooking appliances having a source of electric power, the combination of a multi-part baking element, a broiling element, and switching means arranged in one position thereof to connect one part of said multipart element to the source in series circuit with said zbroiling element and another part of said multi-part element in parallel therewith, in another position thereof to connect only one part of said multi-part element to the source and said broiling element in parallel therewith, and in a third position to connect only said broiling element to the source.

3. In an electric circuit for cooking appliances having a source of electric power, the combination of a multi-part baking element adapted to be located in the lower portion of the appliance, one part of said element having a predetermined resistance value independent from the other, a broiling element adapted to be located in the upper portion of the appliance, and switching means arranged in one position thereof to connect said predetermined resistance part to the source in series circuit with said broiling element and said other part in parallel therewith, in another position thereof to connect only said other part to the source and said broiling element in parallel therewith, and a third position to connect only said broiling element to the source.

4. A range comprising an oven, an upper electrical resistance, a main lower electrical resistance, an auxiliary lower electrical resistance, a three-wire power source having two live wires and an intermediate wire, a control connecting said upper and main lower resistances in parallel to said live wires in preheat position, connecting said upper resistance alone to said live wires in .broil position, connecting said upper and auxiliary lower resistance in series to one of said live wires and said intermediate wire With said main lower resistance connected to said live wires in bake position, and deenergizing said resistances in off position.

5. A range comprising an oven, an upper elec trical resistance, a main lower electrical resistance, an auxiliary lower electrical resistance, a three-wire power source having two live wires and an intermediate wire, a control connecting said upper and main lower resistances in parallel to said live wires in preheat position, connecting said upper resistance alone to said live wires in broil position, connecting said upper and auxiliary lower resistance in series to one of said live wires and said intermediate wire with said main lower resistance connected to said live wires in bake position, and deenergizing said resistances in oil position, and a thermostatic switch responsive to oven temperatures also controlling said resistances.

FRANCIS H. MCCORMICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,350,895 Thomson Aug. 24, 1920 2,218,778 Weimer Oct. 22, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 450,082 Great Britain July 9, 1936 

